Upconverting to 4k can't hurt for when I get a new TV someday.Streaming things like Pandora or airplay would be nice for when I do want music. Maybe I'd have it on more with these features, but definitely nice to have, not have to.

I like the sound of DSX, mostly because ever since I moved into my current house ~6 years ago the surround sound isn't as good, since the rear/side speakers had to go a little in front of the listening position on the sides the way the room is setup. I can tell a big difference from when they were on the sides but behind where I sat in the old house. If there is a receiver technology that can help with this, I'm all for it.

I would suggest some research about the 4k over at AVS its not really 4k. I have read about it but cant really explain it and really its way off in the future unless you have deep pockets. The room correction helps in rooms that are not properly treated for acoustics. Audyssey is considered the best of the lot in a receiver the average guy can afford. This Video is a good primer by Joe Kane about 4k. You will probly find yourself ending up wanting something in the 1k range, so if you have a budget of 500.00 keep you sites on the midrange recievers and don't get to worried about audyssey its overhyped in my opinion.

A good source of material concerning 4K is "Lumagen", the video processing company, that were probably among the first to introduce processors that allow one to do calibrations with both 3D and 4K sources. Apparently there are still limitations in that "full" 4K input and output will really not be available until the next HDMI protocol is introduced.

I second this statement big time. When looking for a receiver myself I had two criteria that needed too be fulfilled. One obviously was great sound,next was the unit needed to be very dependable as well. After scouring the Net I to became a Pioneer Elite owner myself. As an added bonus these receivers come with some solid D class amps, which is more than enough to drive my 9.2 system.These amps are far more energy efficient, they also run much cooler.Pioneer makes the claim that they are more dynamic for peak fluctuations over other units because of these amps. This statement would obviously be up too the ears of the beholder.

Is there a specific Pioneer Elite model that is in Zarak's price range?

The Pioneer Elite SC-71 is currently being offered at Amazon for $795 which appears to be their least expensive unit offering up their D class amps. Pioneer Elite offers up four more receiver with out the D class amps for between $399-$599 for the varying units.

No, advertising claims of that sort can be judged simply by referring to basic principles of audio technology. When a speaker requires a certain power usage to play a particular peak in the music, if the maximum power capability of the amplifier is sufficient then the peak is played, regardless of the details of the amplifier design. So, the statement in question appears to be another example of advertising bs.